Research

What Others Are Doing

Many definitions of agritourism exist across the country and around the world. Below are a few examples.

KANSAS

Any activity which allows members of the general public, for recreational, entertainment or educational purposes, to view or enjoy rural activities, including, but not limited to, farming activities, ranching activities, or historic, cultural or natural attractions. An activity may be an agritourism activity whether or not the participant pays to participate in the activity. An activity is not an agritourism activity if the participant is paid to participate in the activity.

GEORGIA

The term 'agritourism' means activity that allows members of the public, for recreational, entertainment, or education purposes, to use, view, or enjoy agricultural property, machinery, resources, goods, domesticated and wild animals, history, or culture. An activity is an agritourism activity whether or not the participant pays to participate in the activity.

NEW YORK

Agritourism is defined as any food or agriculture related program, project or activity taking place at a farm or other food or agriculture related location(s) that will promote and enhance the public’s understanding and awareness of New York food, farms, and agriculture and the importance of this sector to their way of life by attracting visitors for social, cultural, educational, environmental, recreational and entertainment activities and/or the opportunity to purchase New York produced food or agricultural products.

Partners In Responsible Tourism (PIRT)

Agricultural Tourism: Refers to the act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural or agribusiness operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education, or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation.

Rural Tourism: Recreational experience involving visits to rural settings or rural environments for the purpose of participating in or experiencing activities, events or attractions not readily available in urbanized areas. These are not necessarily agricultural in nature.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Criteria

• Take place in a rural or farm setting
• Benefit the agriculture industry
• Be based upon activities or products offered by agricultural producers
• Involve contact between the producer/agricultural products and the tourist
• Imply economic activity between the agricultural producer and the tourist
• Be complete in that it contains activities, lodging, and food. These elements can be offered by different operators in a given rural area.

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Jane Eckert Agritourism 101 Workshop Handout
• Virginia Agritourism Resource Guide
• Direct Farm Marketing and Tourism Handbook
• Cornell University Agritourism Marketing Study

AGRITOURISM LEGISLATION FROM OTHER STATES